"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the
world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." -
1 John 2:15 KJV
What is the world, according to this verse?
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh,
and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is
of the world." - 1 John 2:16 KJV
These three things were what the devil tempted the woman
with in the Garden.
"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for
food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make
one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her
husband with her; and he did eat." - Genesis 3:6 KJV
The woman saw that the tree was good for food – lust of the
flesh, and that it was pleasant to the eyes – lust of the eyes, and a tree to
be desired to make one wise – the pride of life.
It was Adam and Eve’s choice to sin that brought death and
separation from God. (Romans 5:12, Genesis 3:23)
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his
own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:
and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." - James 1:14-15 KJV
It is the devil that is “the god of this world.” He blinds
the minds of those that believe not, knowing that through the gospel we can
overcome the world and once again have communion with God and eternal life.
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds
of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who
is the image of God, should shine unto them." - 2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV
What is the gospel that the devil has blinded the minds of
unbelievers to?
It is the good news (the great news!!!) that God robed
Himself in flesh to dwell among humanity and die for our sins, that He was
buried, and that on the third day He rose again. (1Corinthians 15:1-4).
It is the good news (the great news!!!) that if a person
will take up their cross and follow Jesus by crucifying their sinful, fleshly
desires, if they are buried in water baptism in the name of Jesus for the
remission (washing away) of their sins, and if they receive the promised gift
of the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of Jesus in them, they will be saved.
(Matthew 16:24-26, Galatians 6:14, 1Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-5, Acts
2:38)
The devil and the lusts of the flesh are temporary “pleasures.”
Living for God overcoming the world has its rewards in this life and in eternal
life. (Hebrews 11:24-26, John 10:10)
"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but
he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:17 KJV
When we are born of God by obeying the gospel (Acts 2:38),
we have the power of God within us to overcome the world and anything the devil
throws at us.
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:
and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." - 1
John 5:4 KJV
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome
them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
- 1 John 4:4 KJV
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